On September 4, 2025, the St. Petersburg City Council approved four three-year collective bargaining agreements involving the City of St. Petersburg, the St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters Local 747, and the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association. The agreements include a five percent general wage increase for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, followed by a six percent increase in fiscal year 2028 for all members covered under these contracts.
Mayor Kenneth T. Welch commented on the outcome: “I want to thank our bargaining teams, and the leadership of the St. Pete Police Department and St. Pete Fire Rescue for reaching this important agreement, and City Council for its approval. This contract reflects our shared priority of supporting the men and women who protect and serve our community every day. With competitive pay increases over the next three years, we are making a strong investment in public safety, in our first responders, and in the future of St. Petersburg.”
Jonathan Vazquez, President of the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association, stated: “Mayor Welch is one of those rare leaders whose words and deeds regarding law enforcement are in complete alignment. This contract continues to allow St. Petersburg to recruit and retain the best quality law enforcement officers for its citizens, businesses, and visitors.”
Richard E. Pauly Jr., President of St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters Local 747 added: “Today, St. Petersburg’s City Council approved the three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and the firefighters’ Local 747. This contract marks a significant step forward in labor-management relations with Mayor Welch and Fire Chief Keith Watts. The agreement enhances recruitment and retention efforts by ensuring St. Petersburg’s firefighters remain among the highest-paid in the region. In addition, it provides additional time off and improved pension benefits, further supporting the health, safety, and well-being of firefighters and their families.”
The new agreements will be effective from September 22, 2025 through September 17, 2028.
